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David J. Schofield

David J. Schofield, 79, of Chestnut Hill, a retired employee of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, died Sept. 22 at Chestnut Hill Hospital.

Until his retirement in 1994, Mr. Schofield had worked in the Post-conviction Unit of the District Attorney’s Office. Earlier he had worked for Burlington Industries and Proctor and Gamble.

Mr. Schofield was the self-appointed “Mayor” of Benezet Street, where he had lived for nearly five decades. He kept a directory of all of the neighbors on his block and organized snow plowing each winter. He also contributed poems and essays to the Chestnut Hill Local.

Born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., he graduated from Kensington High School there and from Pennsylvania State University. He served in the Army from 1955 to 1957.

After a diving accident in 1967, Mr. Schofield became a paraplegic and spent months in rehabilitation in Chestnut Hill Hospital and Magee Memorial Hospital. His daughter, Elizabeth Walker, said that despite his physical disability, he was “full of warmth, humor, curiosity and optimism.

“He was a friend to many and an inspiration to all who knew him,” she added.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 53 years, the former Gretchen Kirchner; sons David Jr. and Peter, and five grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 29 at Our Mother of Consolation Church, 19 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118. Memorial donations may be made to the above church or to LaSalle College High School, 8605 Cheltenham Ave., Wyndmoor, PA 19038. – WF